Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-07-08

'until the light began to fade. and was
thinking it was time to 90 in, when |
heard voices that seemed to be coming
toward me from the house. The
speakers, a man and a woman, were
passing along path near where l sat.
1cOncluded to " ait until they had gone
by before went in. could not see
them, nor could they see me, knew.
When they came little nearer, rec
ognized Sarah's voice; the other was
that of man of a class much higher
than her own. Could it be the stranger?
He was talking Familiarity and seriously
with her. Sarah was speaking in a
tone of bitter complaint, and the first
words heard were hers.
Il won't stand it much longer-and
so tell you"
Tell him my dear Sally-if you dare.
And now oblige me by speaking little
lower
She began again in lower voice,
but in the same tone, and, from the oc-
casiOnal words heard-fOr l could not
help listening-I gathered that she was
angry because some unknown ''he''
paid to much attention to some I'M
known cher" But could guess who
they were. Sarah had an admirer, a
man some years younger than herself,
who lived long way off-and who
paid her visits at irregular intervals.
MIR. Rayner took great interest in this
love-affair, and derived much amuse-
ment from it; he had somehow discOv-
cred that the admirer, whose name was
Tom Parkes, was inclined to pay more
attention than was meet to the Kitchen
maid, Jane; and it was Mr.. Rayner's
opinion that there would be very little
left of Jane if she encouraged the tickle
swain's attention.
So Sarah was giving vent to her jeal-
ousy in an earnest and intimate CONVEX
sation with her masters guest. 1t
seemed very strange proceeding.
"Look what I've done for him; think
how I've worked for him. she said.
HE would never be where he is now if
it wasn't for me. Does he think his
new fancy will plan for him and plot
for him, and risk"
Hush, hush-don't speak so loud!
Where's your old discretion, Sally?"
''Let him look for discretion in Miss
Baby. with her round face and her
child's eyes. Does he think he can
make use of her? Nonsense! 1t wants
a woman that's strong in her head and
strong in her limbs to do the work he
wants done, and not soft little chit
like that!'
"Depend upon it, he is only amusing
himself with the little simpleton," the
man said, soothingly.
But she interrupted him in tone OF
half-suppressed savagery that made me
shudder.
'.Amusing himself, do you say!
Looking at her, talking to her, not be-
cause he wants to make use of her, but
because he likes her, loves her''-she
hissed-''as he has never loved any Of
his poor tools, though they were hand.
somer a thousand times than this
wretched girl! If I thought that, I'd
spoil her beauty for her, and for him, il
Ihanged for it!'
Oh! what an awful woman! And al
because poor little Jane was younger
and prettier than herself, and had had
the misfortune to attract the attention
OF her unprincipled lover!
The man spoke again, this time very
gravely.
"Sally, don't do anything foolish. .
said he. Jim ism q fool, and hi
knows how to repay services iks
yours. Why, he might have thrown
you over with the rest when"
could hear no more; they had gone
too far. l waited till their voice.
had died away, and then dashed from
my perch, through the plantation NJ
to my room, locked the door and So
down appalled,.
What terrible tragedy in the serv
ants hall we were likely to have i
things went on like this! If Mrs. Ray
ner had been only a woman, not ,
statue, would have confessed ell t.
her; but, as it was, it would do NJ
good. 1t was not the sort of thing
could tell Mr.. Rayner. There wa
nothing for it but to hope that littl'
Jane would be wise and leave off pro
vok:ng Sarah, and that Providence
would bring Sarah herself to bette
mind.
But what dreadful woman to hav'
in the house! And why had tn,
stranger spoken of Tom Parkes a
"Jim?"
To be continued.